Before pets can be imported to New Zealand, they need to meet health requirements. I have known about the lion example for a long time. In fact, I discussed in the original version of the pet chapter in my book. (The chapter got too long so I had to drop it.) In every case of wild chimpanzee “pet-keeping” things turned out bad for the pet, which was eventually killed. This was also the case with the lion example you sent. The sad part is that the lioness adopted half a dozen baby antelopes, all of which were eaten by other lions.

Most of the research on pet ownership and health outcomes compares pet owners with non-pet owners, but is this an appropriate comparison to make? Is there something about pet owners that is inherently different about these groups that may also affect health? In other words, can we trust research that examines pet owners and non-pet owners and then tries to make causal attributions about differences in health? According to some research, pet owners are indeed different across a wide range of variables that are also related to health; however there are only a few empirical studies that help us understand how they may be different and how large that difference may be.

We’ve developed a new resource to help you bring your dog to New Zealand from a “category 3” country or territory. It includes a checklist to help you ensure your dog has met the requirements. A category 3 country or territory is where rabies is either absent or well-controlled. You’ll find a list of them on page 6 of our import health standard guidance document.

Another adorable adversary, this fox looks like it jumped straight outta Pokemon. And just like a Pokemon, Fennec Foxes don’t take well to captivity and don’t naturally look to bond with humans. Technically in the same family as dogs, these critters apparently act more like cats (and you know how we feel about those eternally-shade throwing mice catchers).

In addition to the possible harm that could be done to these wild animals kept in private homes, the lions and tigers and other “exotics” also pose danger to humans Born Free USA, a nonprofit advocacy organization that strives to end the ownership of wild animals, has documented some 1,500 attacks, including 75 human deaths, escapes and other incidents involving exotic pets since 1990, according to MyHealthNewsDaily Born Free data indicates several harmful interactions between humans and these wild animals, with one incident involving a 4-year-old boy in Texas who was hospitalized after being mauled by a pet mountain lion kept by his aunt.